Santa Cruz Sentinel from Santa Cruz, California • Page 2

Local news A-2 Thursday, Feb. 19, 1998 Sentinel Land trust buys woodlands FEMA plans funds for roads Roads and bridges are following a normal, and slower, process toward getting federal aid. Lowe said two FEMA employees are in the county taking preliminary damage assessments to determine the kinds of repairs needed, the first step in the process. A special FEMA task force will also be assigned to work on landslide problems, she said. Lowe said it was not unusual to have different aspects of aid announced at different times.

"It depends on the disaster and how it occurs. Susan Mauriello, County Administrative Officer, told county supervisors last week that President Clinton's declaration of a disaster did not include financial assistance for damaged public roads and bridges. Mauriello suggested that the supervisors and legislators try to correct what the county hoped was a "technicality." Lowe said there is no technicality to correct. The initial declaration announcing federal aid for individuals and for debris clearing was expedited "to speed things up and make sure things go smoothly." tion will protect a rich and important part of our natural heritage." The property is divided by Long Valley Road and sits midway between Prunedale and Las Lomas off San Miguel Canyon Road. The upper Long Valley features an undisturbed part of the watershed raining into the slough and includes a series of woodlands, wetlands and meadows.

Several plants recognized by the California Native Plant Society as rare or threatened live on the property. Founded in 1978, The Big Sur Land Trust has purchased more than 15,000 acres of coastal Monterey County property in more than 80 transactions. By ROBIN MUSITELLI Sentinel staff writer SANTA CRUZ Federal emergency funds will be available to help repair public roads and bridges damaged by storms. Federal Kmergency Management Agency public affairs officer Janet Lowe said Wednesday that roads and bridges haven't been overlooked in forthcoming federal assistance, as county officials had feared. They are simply in the process of becoming eligible for assistance.

"Things are really going the way they should," said Lowe. "There is no oversight." the last wild places in the slough has been protected. Our mutual goal is to ultimately annex the property to the Elkhorn Slough Reserve." The tidal waters of the slough are part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. It is one of the few remaining coastal wetlands in California and harbors a tremendous diversity of fish and wildlife. "This critical acquisition is like an island in time with plants and animals characteristic of the North County the way it used to be," said Mark Silberstein, executive director of the nonprofit Elkhorn Slough Foundation.

"This acquisi Sentinel staff report MOSS LANDING One or the last tracts of undisturbed oak woodlands and maritime chaparral in North Monterey County has been sold to The Big Sur Land Trust. The 425-acre Long Valley Ranch that sits east of the slough has been purchased from private landowners for $2.4 million. "This land was subdivided for development into 20 homesites," said Zad Leavy, general manager and general counsel of the land trust. "We were pleased to have collaborated with the Elkhorn Slough Foundation on this critical project, which ensures that one of 1 I Living legend! Storyteller weaves well-worn tales Grey Eagle, also known as Ken Jackson, brings an obvious joy to his storytelling. SV district agrees to impact fees $800,000 will be paid to city By DONNA KIMURA Sentinel staff writer SCOTTS VALLEY City officials and school district leaders have reached tentative agreement on several of the major issues surrounding a planned high school.

Under a proposal, the district will pay impact fees of $613,970 plus provide another $200,000 contribution to the city to cover future impacts. City officials would then use the money to build sidewalks and traffic improvements on both sides of Glenwood Drive. This would help alleviate the city's concerns about pedestrian safety. "We came to this compromise in good faith," said Councilman Randy Johnson. "The end result is a much safer corridor for our children." The police department and school leaders have also agreed to work together to provide a school resource officer at the proposed high school on Glenwood Drive.

The City Council on Wednesday approved a letter to the school district that comments on these issues and others in an environmental impact report. "All the issues but a few have been resolved," Community Development Director Laura Kuhn told the City Council. Superintendent Andre La Couture agreed. There remains some concern about grading and erosion on the property. Council members and several residents said they are worried that development of a high school could create flooding, slides or other problems in the neighborhood.

City Attorney Robert Logan, however, has agreed with the school district that the district can exempt itself from many of the city's grading and erosion control ordinances as allowed by state law. "It is a small town," LaCouture said. "We all need to be in this together." City and school officials said they hope to continue to work together on development of the city's first high school. SC summer academy to build English skills By JONDI GUMZ Sentinel staff writer SANTA CRUZ This summer, Santa Cruz City Schools will launch a new effort to boost the academic skills of high school students learning English. 3 -0 i -Tr Water reserves remain lacking By KAREN CLARK Sentinel staff writer SANTA CRUZ The city's water reserves won't be at full capacity until the end of this week, and that's only if incoming storms don't cause more problems with the delivery system.

Bill Kocher, director of the Water Department, said the reservoir on Bay Street that is the city's main fresh water reserve is about 63 percent of capacity. Crews have been working for the past two weeks to refill those freshwater storage areas, which were seriously drained when the water-delivery system went down four separate times because of storm-related problems. Water from the reservoir is the city's main supply during the winter months when streams and the San Lorenzo River are too mucky to be treated. When the Loch Lomond supply is cut off, the city must dip into fresh-water reserves that are stored around town. The latest problem occurred late Friday when a pump station went down because of a power outage.

"None of these problems is new, but certainly the persistent occurrence of them is causing us more difficulties than we've had over a number of years," said Terry Tompkins, deputy water director. Officials continue to ask residents to voluntarily reduce consumption in order for enough extra water to be available to refill the fresh water storage areas while still meeting daily needs of customers. The problem, they said, is that another string of storms is forecast to hit the area starting today, which could cause more damage to the pipelines and power outages at the pump stations. "I tell you, the hits just keep on coming," said Kocher. "It's just scares the bejesus out of me." VFW honors Aptos deputy Sentinel staff report APTOS Veterans of Foreign Wars has named Deputy Cheryl Peterson of the ShfrifTs Aptos Service Center as officer of the year, noting her dedication to the law profession and her devotion to the community.

A ceremony was held Wednesday at the center. The VFW praised the way she took extra time when dealing with her assigned duties. They also noted her concern for crime victims and her accessibility while handling a case, even after a case has closed. Corrections and clarifications It is the policy of the Sentinel to correct factual errors. We encourage readers to call our City Desk if they are aware of such errors.

Please phone 423-4242. Due to flooding, the Sunday grand opening of the new Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve's Vistor Center has been postponed until May 10, Mother's Day. 2l Shmuel ThalerSentinel photos Grey Eagle spins a yarn to a kindergarten class during a journey that includes a couple local schools. By Anna Maria Basquez Sentinel staff writer APTOS Some kids want to go to college," said assistant superintendent Don Iglesias. "A boost for literacy could make the difference." The English Language Development Academy was unveiled last week as trustees reviewed the first-ever report on standardized test scores of students with special needs.

Those students' scores are much lower than overall scores. Ianora nicfl-lnf annrao rgnoa KINDERGARTNER Hayli McClain on Wednesday rested her arm around fellow schoolmate Stevie McGannon much like a sister would as they listened intently to the guest storyteller. But Stevie, whose mother recommended the guest, wasn't hearing the tales for the first time. And more than listening, he was sharing, with Hayli and with more than 50 other Valencia Elementary School children, the stories of Native American tradition he and numerous other summer campers have heard, complete with drums, chants and songs. Storyteller Ken Jackson on Wednesday entertained the group of 5- and 6-year-olds, one of the many audiences on his colorful roster of places he is visiting this week, which include at-risk students at Watsonville High School and workers at Hospice Care.

"I'm gifting this to you so you can tell it in your own words someday," he told the group of children. "You never memorize these stories. You hear them over and over until they're yours." The stories symbolically warned the children of the dangers of falling to flattery and not listening to elders, while also teaching problem solving, among other themes. "I believe the authenticity of events like this gives kids a true depiction of what the culture really was," said Teresa Yniguez, a teacher at the school. Most of the children said they preferred a live storyteller to one they might watch on television.

"I liked it better this way because we could ask questions," said Lisette Parks, 5. Kathleen Whalen, who recently Valencia kindergarteners Arturo Valdes, left, and Osvaldo Contreras listen to a Native American tale. from 50, considered average, to 60. Robles Students in the "limited English proficient" category scored mostly in the 20s and 30s in reading, language and math. Most are native Spanish speakers.

Disadvantaged students, who scored mostly in the 30s, get extra help through the federally funded Title I program. This group is larger than the limited-English population. The academy will be part of the district's summer school. Co-principals Paul Jacobs and Susan Campbell will recruit teachers, and Iglesias hopes 30-40 students will enroll. Letters to parents will explain the free program.

"I'm very excited about it," said trustee Felix Ro-bles, who proposed the academy to administrators. Robles, a Spanish instructor at Cabrillo College, said he had been thinking about how to help students deficient in language skills since joining the school board about a year ago. "The hardest part is to identify the kids who need the help," Iglesias said. Often students speak English reasonably well, yet struggle on writing assignments. Robles sees teacher recommendations as crucial in determining which students might benefit the most from the program.

He hopes to have participating students identified early so the program can be tailored to meet their needs. For information about the academy, call Don Iglesias at 429-3824. moved to La Selva Beach, was sitting in on the story telling while visiting schools to choose which to send her daughter to in the fall. "A book usually has Its own way and its own rhythm," Whalen said. "When you speak to kids, they get to use their own imaginations for the events and for what a character is." Having spoken to audiences speaking various languages, Jackson said the stories cross the boundaries of culture and are often familiar to people of many different countries.

"There's sort of a universal quality to all of them," he said. "The themes are so common." Karen Richmond, also a teacher at the school, said the experience out weighs other teaching techniques. "We have studied about Native Americans, read books and watched movies, but having somebody real come into the classroom and do something traditional to the culture is the most valuable education," Richmond said. Jackson, originally from Washington, is a retired communications professor from the University of Washington and is now a professional storyteller. "In most settings, you could never touch those children," he said.

"They've been warned of strangers and everything, but this is a safe way to reach them. The word is considered the heart." What is your biggest pet peeve? (Asked on Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz) Catherine Certa Tillie Baca Caregiver, Santa Cruz feolc RT "movie "1 UEllC RENTAL I II II UM UaM (Valu up to MOO) Good on Thursdays only In February I Good for new rslaaasa I a With this coupon. Limit one par custon a fast curr VIDEO mm 5 That they do not make siuaeni, Santa Cruz I hate it when people use the same knife that they used for peanut butter in the the aisles in department '1 and grocery stores wide enough for those who are Skidmark Bob Radio programmer, Santa Cruz The corporatization of downtown. The small businesses get pushed aside when big corporations move in. And more and more are moving in.

Small businesses have a lot to offer, and they are being eliminated. handicapped or wheel- 15 ill jelly jar. Sometimes chair bound. It is very untair tor the disabled. you just want to nave some jelly without ma V7 1 I There need to be more 17th Portoli Pf, SmU Cnt'MiHnm bathrooms available, too.

peanut outter in it. To augoest quaatton lor On lh Street, call 423-NEWS, selection 6129.